Bushwick, Brooklyn 2014- GILF! is an artist / activist based in Bushwick, Brooklyn who sparks conversations and questions the status quo through her work. Ranging from graffiti to wheat paste to stencils and performances in the public realm, her projects present new ways to look at culture and society. This fall I spent multiple days and had lengthy and inspiring conversations with Gilf! in her studio where she’s been preparing for upcoming shows in Los Angeles, New York and Miami. While she’s in high creative gear preparing for these exhibits, she’s also donning an orange prison jumpsuit for the entire month of October in hopes of bringing more awareness to the issue of mass incarceration in the US. Taking her art off the wall and literally wearing it on the streets is a method of reaching more people and having conversations with strangers who might not necessarily talk to her if she wasn't wearing a bright orange prison jumpsuit. While I plan to share a broader interview and profile of Gilf! as an artist / activist, I felt compelled to promote her performance project while it's in action through a short video. At the end of the month 3 of the adorned jumpsuits will be on display at NOoSphere Gallery on the Lower East Side. In addition, Gilf! will be giving a talk on November 12 from 7-8PM at the gallery along with the artist Essam to discuss her project as well as his work.

STREET HEROINES

Street Heroines is a collection of stories that celebrate female street artists who are transforming the urban environment in colorful ways. Whether visually protesting socio-political injustices or spreading messages of empathy, these women are using…

Street Heroines is a collection of stories that celebrate female street artists who are transforming the urban environment in colorful ways. Whether visually protesting socio-political injustices or spreading messages of empathy, these women are using creativity to persevere social ignorance and find their own voices in the male-dominated world of graffiti and street art.

I began the project while living in São Paulo in 2011-2012 where the street art scene is overwhelming. My success in connecting with these artists comes from walking the streets of major cities and investigating by foot. My goal with this project, simply put, is to promote awareness about the flourishing global community of female street artists and encourage others to find their creative voice.